HEALTH

Feb 26 2026HEALTH

Men in Their 50s May Feel Older Because of “Forever Chemicals”

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are called “forever chemicals” because they linger in the body for many years. A new study looked at how these substances might make men feel older than their calendar age. The researchers found that the link between PFAS levels in the blood an

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Feb 26 2026HEALTH

Health Bills, Family Bills: A Real Life Money Fight

Jean Franklin saved a lot of money before she became a mom. She and her husband, Charles—who calls himself Chaz—were ready to live comfortably in their house near Sacramento. But a health scare changed everything. In May, Jean felt shaky and went to the hospital after her speech got slurred. She lo

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Feb 26 2026HEALTH

Survey Choice Shapes Vaccine Views Among Vietnamese Americans

The study looks at how the way a survey is given can change who answers it. Researchers used two formats: a printed paper form and an online questionnaire. They wanted to see if people who choose one method over the other differ in age, income or how likely they are to get a COVID‑19 shot. They w

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Feb 26 2026HEALTH

Robots in the OR: What Scores Reveal About Surgeons

Surgeons are increasingly using robots to cut, stitch and move inside patients. But how do we know if a robot‑assisted surgeon is doing well? Researchers looked at the numbers that come from patient outcomes and mistakes during surgery. They wanted to see if those numbers could tell us about a su

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Feb 26 2026HEALTH

How Local Places Shape Health Habits

Individual health plans often focus on a person’s choices, but the places where they live matter a lot. Researchers have found that the surroundings of a neighborhood can either help or hinder people’s efforts to change habits such as eating, exercising or quitting smoking. Health records—whether

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Feb 26 2026HEALTH

Heat‑Wave Alerts Get Smarter, Save Lives

In Spain, 2025 was the hottest summer on record, beating 2022 by about one tenth of a degree. Yet, fewer people died from the heat—908 deaths less than in 2022. Researchers wondered if a tweak to how authorities warn about heat waves could explain this drop. They looked at each province’s year

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Feb 26 2026HEALTH

City Farms Boost Life for Seniors

A new study is looking at how city gardens can help older people stay healthier and happier. The research will test a program called Urban Care Farming, where seniors plant, tend, and harvest crops right in their own neighborhoods. By giving them a daily task that mixes physical work with social int

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Feb 26 2026HEALTH

City Council Pushes for Probe Into Hospital Staffing Issues

A Worcester city councilor has requested that the Board of Health look into a local hospital after reports of staffing shortages and patient safety problems. The motion, placed on the council’s agenda for February 24, asked the city solicitor to determine whether a health board investigation is p

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Feb 26 2026HEALTH

Physiotherapists and Stroke Care: A Fresh Look at Their Roles

Physiotherapy is a key part of recovery after a stroke, yet the exact place it holds inside hospital teams can be unclear. In one study researchers asked both physiotherapists and the managers who run stroke units to share their views. The aim was simple: see how each group sees the job of phy

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Feb 26 2026HEALTH

Early Check‑Ins Don’t Change the Outcome of Hip Surgery

A new study followed 770 people who had hip replacements. The researchers wanted to see if a visit to the clinic three months after surgery would help patients feel better a year later. They split the group into those who had that visit and those who did not. The patients were also divided based on

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